March/April 2008 | Fresno Chapter Bulletin

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CalCPA NEWS

Introducing the Financial Leadership Forum

The Forum, a new program of CalCPA and the California CPA Education Foundation, will enhance the support provided to finance executives and business leaders with tailored resources and programs.
   Membership is an exclusive benefit for business and finance professionals who are CalCPA members.
   Find your path to success in business. Check out the Financial Leadership Forum.

 

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Go YEPs

By Adrienne Cantrell, CPA

Our chapter has had a busy and successful season hosting a number of events, from the golf tournament to Student Night, as well as numerous CPE offerings. Although we “go dark” during this time of year, our board is continuing to plan next year’s events and programs.
   I’m happy to report that our chapter has earned nearly $30,000 for our Scholarship Fund through our programs and direct donations this year! Our funds will continue to support accounting students of California State University, Fresno and Fresno Pacific University in the form of endowments to provide scholarships. The money we earn from our programs also helps fund two junior college scholarships.
   The education, mentoring and development of the next generation of CPAs in California, and specifically in our valley, are a cause that has always been near to my heart. I am proud to work with an organization that supports and encourages our young members—and future members—as they pursue a career in our great profession.
   The newest committee in our chapter is devoted to young and emerging professionals. This year’s chair, Kimberly Doyle, spoke about the committee’s plans for the upcoming year at our recent Community Awareness event. Joining Kimberly is an energetic core of young accounting professionals that looks to provide something special for our young and emerging membership.
   Kimberly announced the committee’s desire to recognize outstanding young and emerging professionals in our chapter, and beginning in June, applications will become available for members to nominate YEPs for this award. The winners will be announced at a function in November.
   We look to our seasoned members, especially managers and partners from our area firms and supervisors from our businesses, to nominate those YEPs with whom you work that exemplify outstanding qualities we hope to highlight: professionalism, quality of work, client relationships, technical knowledge, mentoring of others, progress on the CPA Exam and community involvement. Our YEP Committee is a dynamic group that is excited about increasing interest in the profession, as well as in CalCPA. I urge you to become involved in the development and growth of this important new committee. Please plan on attending the first YEP event, scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12, and start giving thought to deserving YEPs that you could nominate to receive recognition at that event.
   More details will be forthcoming in future bulletins and fliers.
   As I mentioned, we held our Community Awareness event Jan. 24, where we recognized our past presidents as well as our 40-year members. Several were in attendance and enjoyed catching up with old friends and colleagues, as well as meet a number of our new members. I would like to congratulate our 40-year members who were present and recognized: George Soares, Ron Ruether and Michael Cardenas. I would also like to congratulate our other 40-year members who were unable to attend: Zeki Abaci, Michael Cardenas, Milburn Maloney, Ron Ruether, Sam Sciacca, George Soares, Charles Southard and Calvin Wing. Congratulations to these outstanding and enduring members. We appreciate your many years of membership and dedication to our profession.
   Our January “meeting” has also served as our time to elect our new board and chapter officers. The members attending elected the following individuals to positions for the upcoming year of June 1–May 31: Denise Patterson, president; Sheryl Yardumian, vice president; Elaine Reule, secretary; Jodie Rolih, treasurer; and Norman Wong, Paul Chen, Ron Hickok and Kristi Miller, directors.
   Thank you and congratulations to both our new and continuing officers and board members.
   After dinner, we welcomed guest speaker Ashley Swearengin, director of the Office of Community and Economic Development for California State University, Fresno. In addition, she was appointed by the governor to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. It is her involvement with the Partnership that was her topic of conversation during our event.
   Swearengin gave us a brief—and encouraging—picture of where our valley is and where it has the potential to go. She was upbeat and informative, and it was an interesting presentation and discussion. I’d also like to thank our event sponsors: The Principal Financial Group, CompuPay and Valley Business Bank. We appreciate your sponsorships and attendance at our events throughout the year.
   Until next month,
—Adrienne Cantrell, CPA
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CHAPTER NEWS

New Members

On behalf of the Fresno Chapter’s officers, directors and members, we extend our warmest of welcomes to our new members: Yasuyo Magoon, Sam Babcock, Roken Bhatt... [see all new members]

Past President’s Message: Time is Right to Get Involved

By Jim Braun, CPA

It is hard to believe that ten 10 years have passed since my reign ended as chapter president. I would like to strongly encourage our members—particularly our younger members—to consider participating in our chapter by being a committee chair and perhaps ultimately a board member.
   My involvement began when I had the opportunity to take over as chair of the chapter’s Litigation Committee from Mike Smith, my predecessor and partner. Our firm has been involved in litigation and valuation services for many years and this position provided me with an opportunity to develop topics of interest in litigation and valuation, invite members of the legal profession (including prominent lawyers and judges) to programs and enhance my skills at speaking publicly.
   At the time, I had no aspirations to be a board member, let alone chapter president. My motives were somewhat selfish in that I very much wanted to join the Litigation Committee at the state level, which was a “closed” committee. The only way—at that time—to join this committee was to be a litigation chapter chair. This was years before the committee was broken apart into the litigation sections that we have today.
   I look back on my days of being involved in chapter leadership as a great opportunity to meet fellow practitioners, enhance speaking skills and gain the necessary confidence to more effectively practice in the litigation and valuation area. The benefits to the individual far outweigh the time and commitment spent. Contacts I made at the local and state level became valuable resources later in my career. I believe the best time to get involved is earlier in one’s career. My desire is to return when things slow down a bit and I have the time to be actively involved.
   Attending our chapter’s Community Awareness dinner last month, and seeing both our young members and 40-year members, was a great reminder of what a great profession we have and the need to give back a little to the profession that has provided so much to us and our families.
   Best wishes for a successful tax season!
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CalCPA NEWS

Recognizing Achievements in Improving Financial Literacy for Youth

The California Jump$tart Coalition is looking for outstanding teachers, other educators and community leaders to honor their efforts in expanding personal finance education. Honorees will be recognized at the California Summit on Financial Literacy Wednesday, April 23, with awards and contributions to their organizations, including $1,000 educator awards sponsored by Citi.
   If you know of individuals who have made contributions to financial literacy among California's youth, please contact California Jump$tart Coalition Awards Committee members Karen Anderson or Norm Greenbaum by Monday, March 17.
   Reserve your place today at the Summit! Register online.

New Member Benefit: CCH Discounts

CalCPA members can save 30 percent on their favorite tax and accounting references from CCH. Choose from the more than 175 authoritative CCH titles that provide up-to-date guidance on federal and state taxation, legislation, tax prep, accounting, auditing, finance and estate planning.
   Simply check out the line of CCH books, enter your priority code on the billing page you’ll see your savings. Your purchase will be sent directly to you.
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Fresno Chapter Leadership